Jen's Review: "Wrong to Need You"

Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Jackson Kane fled his home, his name, and his family. Ten years later, he’s come back to town: older, wiser, richer, tougher—and still helpless to turn away the one woman he could never stop loving, even after she married his brother.

Sadia Ahmed can’t deal with the feelings her mysterious former brother-in-law stirs, but she also can’t turn down his offer of help with the cafe she’s inherited. While he heats up her kitchen, she slowly discovers that the boy she adored has grown into a man she’s simply unable to resist.

An affair is unthinkable, but their desire is undeniable. As secrets and lies are stripped away, Sadia and Jackson must decide if they’re strong enough to face the past...and step into a future together.

If you were standing in front of me instead of reading it this on a screen, know this would go down differently. Since it’s a book blog, I’m going to explain in an intelligent and measured way why you should read this book. But if you were here? I’d stare into your eyes and then gently press this book into your hands, whispering soulfully, “Just read this, okay? Just read it. You’ll thank me later.” You’d know I mean business and clear the rest of your day to read this moving love story between Jackson and Sadia in Alisha Rai’s latest romance Wrong to Need You.

Alisha Rai writes wonderful, strong heroines. Sadia’s husband, Paul, died a few years earlier, leaving her the single mother to a child she loves, and a the single owner of a business she dislikes. If you’ve read the previous book in this series (and you should, because it’s just as good), you’d know Paul was a member of one of the town’s two warring families. Sadia isn’t interested in playing any part in the feud, she has her own family struggles. Her parents never approved of Paul and she’s felt like her family of doctors looks down on her job and money situation. Sadia focuses on raising her son and trying to make the business successful. Her only outlet is her side gig bartending. She loves the camaraderie of making drinks and chatting up people, but it’s also how she satisfies her sexual needs. Sadia is openly bisexual, and her one night stands with bar patrons are all she can handle. One night, she eyes a man hidden in the bar’s shadows, but when she approaches him, she discovers it’s Paul’s brother, Jackson.

Jackson has his own problems. The family drama that Sadia ignores has kept Jackson away for a decade. The town believes he played a part in the feud by committing an act of arson. Jackson knows he’s innocent, but he can’t forgive those who didn’t defend him. Jackson is such a wounded soul, but he is determined to move on and not let his pain stop him from taking his shot at Sadia. Jackson and Sadia were best friends as children, but reconnecting in a romantic way changes everything for both of them.

Wrong to Need You has so many layers. Things have irrevocably changed in the town since Livvy and Nicholas got back together, and the movement of the families is fascinating. Family secrets are revealed and new alliances are forming. Jackson wants to badly to be loved, but he can’t forget his feelings of anger and betrayal. Sadia doesn’t know if she can trust the overtures from Paul’s extended family.

There’s a lot of things I loved about this romance, but mostly this is a book that shows how brave it is to take a chance on love. Sadia and Jackson are broken and hurt, disappointed and confused, lonely and afraid. Jackson says to her

“Literally nothing in my adult life has been easy, Sadia. I used to walk away from the hard stuff, but I figured, maybe this one time, I could try fighting for it.”

Watching them find love is beautiful. It’s raw and real. They hurt each other but keep trying again, which is all any of us can do, right?

Do yourself a favor. Read this perfect book.

5 STARS!

~ * ~ * ~ Jen received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss.

~ * ~ * ~

Thanks for the review, Jen! I couldn't agree with you more on this one!

Remember, since this is a Royal Pick, come back on November 30th for a chance to win an ecopy of your own!Have you read Alisha Rai?

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Reviewing: Unless otherwise stated, generally the books we review on TBQ's Book Palace were sent from a publisher/author for us to review. We are not paid to review said book, We receive the book for free, and in exchange provide an honest, but accurate, review. We do not make biased reviews because we received the book free of charge.